The Radiant Covenant consisted of several teams specializing in their respective fields. For example, Lunaria's team was dedicated to exploring and helping suppress threats from both outside and within.
Occasionally, some commoners would nearly turn into monsters due to accumulated corruption. To handle this, the nearest team, regardless of their specialization, would be required to take action to secure the situation.
Furthermore, it appeared that ranks within the organization were determined by merit as well as strength. Lunaria was currently at the peak of the third stage out of the four mutation stages.
Lunaria was clearly stronger than most. Kaelan still remembered the horror he had seen from the woman who always smiled gently. In reality, she possessed a terrifying side behind her softness.
Now Kaelan was training directly under Lunaria's supervision. They went to the vast hall outside the dining room.
Kaelan felt awkward. For some reason, every gaze was fixed on him. They weren't the stares given to a suspicious person, but rather looked like resentment.
Reynold whispered to him, "They like the Captain. Because the Captain is paying extra attention to you, they're obviously jealous!"
Reynold laughed loudly, but Kaelan felt unable to join in. He might end up with the most ridiculous cause of death if he did.
Kaelan faced Lunaria directly as she began to explain how to use his power.
"Sangu Carna is slightly different from the others. We use blood and flesh as a form of power."
To begin, they needed to create a wound on the body so that blood and flesh could emerge. There were ways to use it without making a wound, but it was not recommended.
"If you don't create a wound, the pain will be immense. Imagine your arm exploding from the inside," Lunaria said. "But if you make a small cut, the blood and flesh will emerge from there. Your pain will be minimal."
Kaelan could imagine it. If he didn't make a wound, there would be no way for his flesh and blood to exit. If that happened, the flesh and blood would build up before causing an explosion. That would bring extraordinary pain.
Even if a Sangu Carna was able to restore themselves, there was no way to eliminate the pain.
Meanwhile, if a wound was made first, it was like putting a hole in a water skin. The power would be able to flow out steadily and only cause minimal pain.
Kaelan sliced his left hand. He could feel the pain and the flowing blood.
Lunaria watched him and nodded while creating a wound on her own hand.
"You need to learn to feel your blood and flesh. Not just the pain, but also how the blood flows and reaches your flesh."
Kaelan closed his eyes. He focused himself on his left hand. He sliced his left hand and tried to feel the flesh and blood.
"Imagine it like how you move your hands, feet, and even your head. If you want it, then you command it!"
From Lunaria's wound, a large mouth emerged, and blood swirled around it. She showed a smile and looked at Kaelan, who was trying to understand.
"This mutation is a part of your body. It might feel strange, but you will get used to it. We Sangu Carna must use this kind of power as a part of our bodies. However, we need to ensure we don't endanger ourselves while using it."
In the first stage of mutation, a Sangu Carna would only be able to perform self-recovery faster. It was also capable of automatically increasing stamina and body heat.
However, in the second stage, they would be able to grow new flesh and control blood up to a certain distance.
Kaelan was believed to be at least at the second stage of mutation, but his abilities and knowledge were no different from a novice Devourer.
"I will try."
Kaelan began to feel his blood flowing out. He could also sense how wide the wound was and how deep it went.
A Devourer relied on the curse and the mutation derived from it. According to the understanding of Sangu Carna, one needed to learn to control it as they used their own body.
Kaelan understood it in the sense that Sangu Carna might not just be about control. Rather, it was about how one imagined it.
I need to imagine it. Something that can become a part of my body, Kaelan thought.
He began to imagine a protective plate on his left hand. Soon, Kaelan began to feel and could visualize the flesh and blood helping to manifest his imagination.
Once he opened his eyes, just as he had imagined, a plate of blood protected his hand. However, the shape was very abstract and almost looked like a clump of flesh attached to him.
Furthermore, his blood kept dripping, and the flesh was very soft. At first glance, it was clearly a very disgusting sight to behold.
Lunaria walked toward him and observed Kaelan's left arm. She seemed to have her own thoughts before looking at him.
"You are clearly at the second stage. The second stage of the Sangu Carna mutation is being able to manipulate flesh and blood. With this, I have been able to determine your limits."
It seemed this training was also part of Lunaria's assessment of him. As a team leader, she clearly would not let her guard down and was active in monitoring Kaelan.
"However, just to be safe, I think you need to start everything from the beginning. You will go through the Devourer process from the start. This is important considering you have no memories."
Kaelan needed to know the feeling of starting to become a Devourer and increasing his mutation gradually. It seemed that experience was very important for further advancement as well as understanding.
Because he had no memories, Kaelan had to trace his steps from the beginning.
Kaelan himself agreed. He needed to learn it firsthand. Even though he seemed to be cheating by being at stage two immediately, it was useless if he couldn't utilize his potential.
"We'll end it for today." Lunaria healed her wound and intended to leave, but Reynold stopped her then.
"Captain," Reynold called. "Since he's already at stage two, does that mean Kaelan will form a small group?"
Kaelan remembered the system within the explorer team. Those at the second stage were permitted to form a small group of five people. They were allowed to take on easy missions and perform periodic city surveillance.
Lunaria touched her chin and thought for a moment.
"Normally that would be the case, but seeing the circumstances, we shouldn't do that," Lunaria said, then stroked her hair. "Kaelan might be lacking in experience even though he meets the requirements."
"I want to suggest something," Reynold smiled. "Let him join my group. There aren't many people with Sangu Carna; with Kaelan, my group will be balanced."
Reynold didn't stop there. He had clearly prepared a good reason for this. But for this, he was more serious than usual. The cheerfulness he usually possessed was no longer visible.
"My group is the spearhead of our team. As per my previous report, Captain, I feel that matter is worrying. I need Kaelan if I want to investigate it further."
Lunaria appeared to furrow her brow. "Kaelan has no experience."
Reynold nodded. "I will take many missions to give him experience. In the process, I will also sniff out their tracks."
Killing two birds with one stone. Kaelan had no idea what they were talking about at all, but it seemed very important.
Reynold had prepared a plan and a good reason. It was almost certain his proposal would be accepted.
"Very well. Kaelan will be with you. Remember to keep what needs to be kept, and tell what needs to be known."
With that, Kaelan officially joined the Radiant Covenant and became a member of the group led by Reynold.